Graeme McDowell needs no coaxing to contest this year’s Irish Open at Royal County Down.

McDowell is commencing his PGA Tour season at this week’s Honda Classic in West Palm Beach but he’s now become the second US Open winner in recent days after Ernie Els to confirm his appearance in what is shaping up as one of the greatest Irish Open’s for a very long time.

“I haven’t played at Royal County Down for a few years and I am very much looking forward to this year’s Irish Open,” said McDowell.

“So I don’t have to asked, as I will be there with bells on.

“But then in saying that I have only played the course about a half-a-dozen times.”

However after the sell-out crowds three years ago at Royal Portrush, McDowell envisages tighter control on numbers set to flock to Royal County Down.

“Unfortunately from what I hear organisers are going to have to control the gate to 20,000 spectators as the course cannot take a big crowd,” said McDowell.

“When they staged the Walker Cup at RCD in 2007 I believe they restricted the crowd to around 10,000 a day so that’s the only disappointment.

“But for those who will be present it’s going to be something else seeing so many great players competing on what is arguably a great golf course.”

And while tournament host Rory McIlroy has been twisting arms and getting the likes of Rickie Fowler and Keegan Bradley to tee up, McDowell’s determined to do his fair share of ‘selling’ the event to his US-born colleagues.

“For sure I’ll be talking to the guys over here competing in the States as we are very proud of Royal County Down, so I will certainly be encouraging guys to come over,” said McDowell.

“With the tournament being hosted by Rory’s Foundation is just so great to have a guy like Rory competing because he is more than capable now of carrying a golf tournament like the Irish Open with just himself competing,” said McDowell.

“So Rory’s already doing great things in getting Rickie and others to commit, so it’s going to be an awesome week.”

And Dustin Johnson, who was a team-mate of Fowler on the victorious 2007 USA Walker Cup team, has also given thought to adding the event to his schedule even though he was not initially aware initially aware it is being played at Royal County Down.

“Oh, the Irish Open this year is at Royal Country Down?” he said at the conclusion Sunday’s Northern Trust Open in L.A.